How to visit the Cathedral of Tarazona (Zaragoza): schedules, prices

The possibility of knowing your cathedral well justifies a tourist getaway to the Aragonese town of Tarazona, which has a long history behind it.

You may know about the aforementioned cathedral that it is a building that for several decades was closed to the public for important renovation works, and whose reopening in April 2011 has become a good pretext for visit Tarazona.

Found north of Moncayo, on the borders between Aragon, Castilla and Navarra.

So that you know the significance of the Tarazona Cathedral, below you have some historical curiosities.

Curiosities about the history of the Tarazona cathedral

1.- The fact that in 1119, after reconquering the Muslims city ​​of Tarazona, The project to build a large cathedral was launched, it is an example of the importance that this town had at that time due to its strategic geographical location.

2.- There is no real evidence of why it was decided to build the cathedral in the orchard area that surrounded the hill of the walled city of Tarazona, and not inside this enclosure.

Hence its name Santa María de la Huerta.

But the recent archaeological discovery under the cathedral of a roman necropolis from the 4th century, with a large area of ​​mosaics, as well as a Hispano-Visigothic baptistery, would justify the decision to build the new Christian temple in this area.

3.- The initial intention of building a Romanesque church was replaced by the project of building a cathedral of the new gothic style, which was carried out by french teachers.

Its presence is reflected in certain corners of the cathedral, such as the bases of the columns, where you can see the fleur-de-lys.

4. - The Tarazona Cathedral was consecrated in 1235. , and another example of its importance at the time is that it was built simultaneously with the Gothic cathedrals of Burgos and Toledo.

5.- During the so-called War of the Two Peters which took place from 1356 to 1369, the cathedral suffered serious damage.

It was later rebuilt with Moorish style, during the period from the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 16th century.

Its most notable elements were the cloister, the tower and the dome over the transept, all of them with their characteristic decoration of Muslim origin, with bricks and the presence of enameled tiles.

6.- In the middle of the XNUMXth century another important milestone occurred in the history of the Cathedral of Tarazona, the renovation of your interior decoration with the application of Renaissance style.

The result was a building with a Mudejar exterior aesthetic and an undoubtedly Gothic interior, with striking Renaissance decoration.

To this we must add the final incorporation of some baroque elements, such as the main access porch to the cathedral and the back choir.

7.- Partially closed since 1981, and completely closed in 1992, since 1996 the Master Plan that has led to the restoration of the Cathedral of Tarazona, until its aforementioned opening to the public in 2011.

What to see when visiting the Tarazona Cathedral

The first thing that will surprise you about this cathedral, whose origins date back to the 13th century, is the great contrast between its exterior and interior.

Indeed, the Tarazona Cathedral You will recognize it thanks to its great Mudejar tower and your dome of the same architectural style.

However, as we have mentioned, the portico main entrance to the cathedral is style baroque, and then, when you enter the main nave, you will be surprised to discover an imposing Gothic cathedral.

For visit the Cathedral of Tarazona You will enter through a modern access that has been enabled in the northern part of the building.

After passing through the area where the ticket offices are located, you first enter one of the cloister galleries.

This space has been used to install a exposure where, through large information panels, the history of the cathedral and the restoration process.

Before accessing the interior of the Tarazona Cathedral, I advise you to watch the audiovisual that, with a series of photos, shows you what state the cathedral was in before its renovation was undertaken in 1996.

Also, be sure to go out to the central patio of the cloister.

Look at the large lattices made of plaster, all of different designs; It is said that you can only see something similar in India.

And the time has come to access the aforementioned interior of the cathedral of Tarazona.

You will find an unmistakably Gothic structure, specifically at the head, but you will see a decoration with a mix of architectural styles.

So you can see corners of Gothic style, But also baroque, Through the Mudejar and Renaissance.

Sistine Chapel of Aragon in Tarazona Cathedral

Without a doubt, it is in the head where the greatest architectural wealth is concentrated, to the point that the vault of the Capilla Mayor is known as the Sistine Chapel of Aragon.

Inside the cathedral there are three ships, with the plant at the highest altitude.

The large Gothic columns, like the walls, are painted in a light gray tone, but you will also find corners with Gothic paintings.

The ceilings of the main nave and the transept will catch your attention with their star-shaped ribbed vaults.

For its part, Capilla Mayor show a great altarpiece sculpture from 1619, which replaced the original medieval style.

In the ambulatory area, it is worth highlighting the artistic value of the enormous gothic altarpiece painted in 1408 by John of Levi, which you will see in one of the chapels.

La St. Andrew's Chapel, an addition after the ambulatory, in the 17th century it was changed to Baroque with a decoration of polychrome stucco panels imitating marble and four large baroque canvases, which produces a shocking contrast with the rest of the building.

On the other hand, the great Mudejar dome It is one of the most prominent elements of the cathedral.

Construction began in 1543 to replace the old skylight which was in poor condition.

Be sure to notice its grand Renaissance-style interior decoration, which includes paintings from 1580.

Another corner that I want to highlight is the imposing pulpit located in the central nave, in front of the choir. From the 16th century, it is decorated with plasterwork with plant shapes.

Of course, on your tour of the cathedral you will see that most of the chapels surrounding the nave are closed awaiting restoration.

For its part, the choir and its stalls are not going to be a corner that will attract your special attention.

And as for the choir, another addition with baroque decoration was carried out in the 17th century.

Tarazona Cathedral visit schedules

The Tarazona Cathedral visiting hours They vary depending on the time of year and days of the week; in high season, from April to October, are from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 19 p.m.

On Sundays you can visit from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 18 p.m. in the afternoon.

With regards to low seasonFrom January to March, and November and December, the hours are, Tuesday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 18 p.m.; on Saturdays, from 10,30:14 a.m. to 16 p.m. and from 19 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.; and on Sundays, from 14:16 a.m. to 18 p.m. and from XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX p.m.

Throughout the year, the cathedral is closed to visitors on Mondays.

These schedules may be affected by celebrations and liturgical events, so it is advisable to consult the updated opening hours.

Tarazona Cathedral ticket prices

The ticket prices It is 4,50 euros for the general public; 3,50 euros, for children from 6 to 12 years old, youth card, students, retirees, disabled people, large families and unemployed; and children under 6 years old can visit the Tarazona Cathedral for free.

Here you also have information with schedules and prices of the various guided tours of the Tarazona Cathedral, for which you should sign up in advance (phone 976 640 271 or email cathedral@tarazonamonumental.es).

Or if you prefer, you can rent or download a audioguide for 2 euros.